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London bombing victims 'let down' London bombing victims 'let down'
(10 minutes later)
Victims of the London terror bombings on 7 July last year were let down by inadequate emergency planning, a Home Office report has found.Victims of the London terror bombings on 7 July last year were let down by inadequate emergency planning, a Home Office report has found.
Interviews with survivors and the families of victims suggest many did not get the support they needed.Interviews with survivors and the families of victims suggest many did not get the support they needed.
The government praised the bravery and professionalism of emergency workers but said procedures will be improved.The government praised the bravery and professionalism of emergency workers but said procedures will be improved.
Meanwhile, a separate report focussing on the emergency services said the response was "very successful".Meanwhile, a separate report focussing on the emergency services said the response was "very successful".
The London Resilience Forum, a coalition made up of emergency services, transport, NHS and central and local government agencies, was set up in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US to prepare for potential emergencies.The London Resilience Forum, a coalition made up of emergency services, transport, NHS and central and local government agencies, was set up in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US to prepare for potential emergencies.
"By quick, professional and effective action at the scene of each of the bombs, the situation had been contained and the potential additional loss of life and suffering considerably reduced," it said."By quick, professional and effective action at the scene of each of the bombs, the situation had been contained and the potential additional loss of life and suffering considerably reduced," it said.
READ THE REPORT Lessons learned - Home Office report [3MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
"Four years of planning and exercises had clearly paid great dividends," it said."Four years of planning and exercises had clearly paid great dividends," it said.
The Home Office said improvements would be made to the casualty bureau set-up, emergency communication systems and compensation procedures.The Home Office said improvements would be made to the casualty bureau set-up, emergency communication systems and compensation procedures.
"In times of crisis, information and support must be readily available and easy to access for those who need it," said Home Secretary John Reid."In times of crisis, information and support must be readily available and easy to access for those who need it," said Home Secretary John Reid.
"Getting the right help in place is of critical importance and we are working hard to strengthen our emergency response.""Getting the right help in place is of critical importance and we are working hard to strengthen our emergency response."
READ THE REPORT London Regional Resilience Forum report [523KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, the minister charged with responsibility for liaising with survivors and bereaved relatives, said: "We've taken some very hard lessons and very practical lessons from what went wrong."Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, the minister charged with responsibility for liaising with survivors and bereaved relatives, said: "We've taken some very hard lessons and very practical lessons from what went wrong."
The Home Office inquiry has focused on the lessons that can be learned from the 7 July bombings.The Home Office inquiry has focused on the lessons that can be learned from the 7 July bombings.
And it accepts the overall response to the bombings on the London Underground was flawed.And it accepts the overall response to the bombings on the London Underground was flawed.
7 JULY ASSISTANCE CENTRE Confidential helpline to provide advice and support to anyone affected by events of 7 July or the anniversaryCentre and helpline open seven days a week - answerphone service at nightAlso supports those affected by recent bombings in Doha, Sharm el-Sheikh, Turkey, Bali and Dahab, and Bahrain boat disasterHelpline - 0845 054 7444 Jowell says anger 'justified'7 JULY ASSISTANCE CENTRE Confidential helpline to provide advice and support to anyone affected by events of 7 July or the anniversaryCentre and helpline open seven days a week - answerphone service at nightAlso supports those affected by recent bombings in Doha, Sharm el-Sheikh, Turkey, Bali and Dahab, and Bahrain boat disasterHelpline - 0845 054 7444 Jowell says anger 'justified'
It says casualty bureau phone lines could not cope with the volume of calls from worried families.It says casualty bureau phone lines could not cope with the volume of calls from worried families.
The four suicide bombings killed 52 people and injured nearly 800.The four suicide bombings killed 52 people and injured nearly 800.
There is also criticism of the way many of the walking wounded had to make their own way home without receiving medical help or having given their details to the authorities.There is also criticism of the way many of the walking wounded had to make their own way home without receiving medical help or having given their details to the authorities.
The report calls for suitable reception centres to be identified around the country that would become rallying points in the event of future incidents.The report calls for suitable reception centres to be identified around the country that would become rallying points in the event of future incidents.
The government has rejected calls for a full public inquiry into the events.The government has rejected calls for a full public inquiry into the events.
Ms Jowell has said the government would not hold a public inquiry because that would mean an "enormous diversion of security resources which need to be directed into preventing this happening again".Ms Jowell has said the government would not hold a public inquiry because that would mean an "enormous diversion of security resources which need to be directed into preventing this happening again".
We look at the lessons to be learned and, however well it went on the day - and it did go well in that initial response - there'll always be things we can get better Deputy Chief Constable Andy TrotterWe look at the lessons to be learned and, however well it went on the day - and it did go well in that initial response - there'll always be things we can get better Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter
In May, a cross-party report into the attacks was published and the Home Office issued an official account of the events. The London Assembly has also published the findings of its own investigation.In May, a cross-party report into the attacks was published and the Home Office issued an official account of the events. The London Assembly has also published the findings of its own investigation.
Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter of British Transport Police said it was customary to update emergency plans after they were put into practice.Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter of British Transport Police said it was customary to update emergency plans after they were put into practice.
"We are very critical of ourselves," he said."We are very critical of ourselves," he said.
"We debrief thoroughly. We look at the lessons to be learned and, however well it went on the day - and it did go well in that initial response - there'll always be things we can get better.""We debrief thoroughly. We look at the lessons to be learned and, however well it went on the day - and it did go well in that initial response - there'll always be things we can get better."